WCCC Blog

The WCCC Blog is a forum for sharing and discussing information related to the WCCC's mission including, but not limited to:

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May 13, 2009

May 12, 2009

Service Integration Brown Bag Lunch


Back by popular demand…the June Service Integration Brown Bag Lunch will feature Housing Resources!

Housing Resources + Networking

  • Hear an overview of the services provided by the agencies on the panel.
  • Learn more about eligibility criteria, client participation requirements and referral processes.
  • Discuss the challenges you face when helping clients with housing issues.
  • Receive an updated copy of the Housing Resources Matrix that summarizes services, eligibility criteria and contact information for the presenting agencies.
  • Share announcements about your agency/program with other attendees.

Who will benefit from this workshop:

  • Line staff, volunteers and interns that work directly with clients.

Managers and supervisors that want to support their staff, volunteers and interns who are helping clients access housing resources.

Families in Transition

Homeless Services Center

Mid-Peninsula Housing Corporation (June 12 only)

PV Shelter



Session 1

Date/Time:

Monday, June 1

12:00 – 1:30 (presentation) 1:30 – 2:00 (Networking)

Location: Watsonville Public Library, Meeting Room (2nd Floor)

275 Main St., Watsonville (in the new Civic Plaza Building)

View a map and get directions at http://tinyurl.com/6xgl2a

Recommended parking: parking garage on W. Beach St. (free) or the new parking garage behind the Civic Center (small fee)



Session 2

Date/Time:

Friday, June 12

12:00 – 1:30 (presentation)

Location: United Way Conference Room (enter the Conference Room from the rear of the building)

1220 41st Ave., Capitola (in the Begonia Plaza)

View a map and get directions at http://tinyurl.com/5fals8

Recommended parking: Begonia Plaza parking lot or the parking garage behind the main Spa Fitness facility (enter at 1100 41st Ave.)



Pick one session and register by May 29 at First 5 Santa Cruz County’s website: http://www.first5scc.orgindex.php?page=brownbagreg#Register

May 11, 2009

Mensajeros de Confianza Meeting

Please save the date of the upcoming Mensajeros de Confianza meeting taking place on May 29th, 2009, noon to 2pm at the Pajaro Valley Community Health Trust Community Room, 85 Nielson St., Watsonville. Lunch will be provided.

The overall topic of this presentation will be Serving Oaxacan families in Pajaro Valley. Faris Sabbah, Migrant Education Program Director, will give cultural background and present an overview of needs and services to Oaxacan families; followed by a panel with Semillas students. The students are from Oaxaca, and work as interpreters through Semillas, a non-profit organization dedicated to serving the Oaxacan community and building cultural proficiency in our community.

This will be a great opportunity to learn first hand about an under served population, whose presence is growing (and so too their need for all types of services), although their voices get often “lost in translation.” Your presence can help make visible their concerns.

If you are planning to come, and have a question you’d like to ask, please feel free to send it to me in advance, so I can pass it on to them before the meeting.
Thanks for your support and participation,

Silvia Austerlic
Latino Community Liaison

Hospice of Santa Cruz County
sausterlic@hospicesantacruz.org

May 8, 2009

The Women’s Business Education and Loan Program

El Pajaro Community Development Corporation Presents:

The Women’s Business Education and Loan Program
Who is the program for:
Motivated women who want to start a business or improve a existing one and who are willing to participate in an educational program and complete a business plan.

What the program offers:
· A unique and accessible educational program

· Information on how to plan and manage a business or self-employment venture
· Financial Literacy Education
· Assistance in analyzing business opportunities

· One-on-one technical assistance and support to start and/or manage your own business

· Group support

· Assistance in the preparation of a loan application

· Low-interest micro-loans to start or improve your business
· Mentoring by a community of successful entrepreneurs

Step 1. PRE-REQUISITE WORKSHOPS: Before enrolling in the course, all participants are required attend a series of three workshops designed to familiarize and refresh student’s knowledge of basic business concepts. The workshops are offered in English and Spanish. Please call for times and locations. The cost of prerequisite courses may be applied to tuition costs.
Step 2. ORIENTATION: Attend a general information session that covers eligibility requirements, cost of program, scholarships and calendar of training dates. Submit a registration form to enroll in the program. The deadline to register is Thursday, July 6, 2009.
*All dates subject to change.
Step 3. INTERVIEW: After your registration form is processed, you will be scheduled for an one-on-one interview with an El Pájaro CDC Business Advisor You will also complete a questionnaire and business-personality assessment .
Step 4. PRE-SCREENING: Before enrolling in the course, all participants are required to take a basic skills assessment at Adult Basic Education site. These results will help us better understand your needs and strengths. Appointments will be scheduled after the initial interview. The deadline to register is Thursday, July 6, 2009.
Step 5. 12-SESSION COURSE: Classes meet on a weekly basis for 12 weeks beginning the week of August 24 through the week of November 9, 2009. The graduation ceremony is scheduled for Wednesday, November 18, 2009. To receive a graduation certificated and be eligible to apply for a loan participants must have 80% attendance and turn in a completed business plan .
Step 6. MICRO-LOAN APPLICATION PROCESS: Graduates are eligible to apply for low interest micro-loans up to $5,000 El Pájaro CDC advisers will provide loan preparation and follow-up counseling at no cost.

PRE-REQUISITE WORKSHOPS:

Call for times and locations
$15 per session or 3 for $35

Spanish Language:
Business Plan Basics:
Watsonville: May 11, 12; June 8, 9, 11; July 9, 13 & 14
Salinas: May 14, June 11, July 9

Marketing:
Watsonville: May 26 & 28; June 23 & 25; July 28 & 30
Salinas: May 28, July 09

English Language:

Business Plan Basics:
Watsonville: May 13, June 10, July 15
Salinas: June 11
Marketing:
Watsonville May 27, June 24, and July 22

Bi-Lingual:

Financial Literacy:

Watsonville: May 4 ; June 1, July 2
Salinas: May 7, June 2 and July 4
Computer Basics*:

Watsonville May 16, June 20 and July 18 *6 hour Saturday Boot Camp Salinas June25

For more information or to enroll in a workshop contact

El Pajaro CDC
23 E Beach Street #209
Watsonville, CA
831-722-1224
info@elpajarocdc.org

“Promoting equal access to economic opportunity”

May 6, 2009

Free Credit Management Seminar

Please share this free seminar with your clients and staff :

Plastic Surgery: Getting Out of Debt

Most consumers use credit regularly – in some cases, perhaps too regularly. While credit can be a great financial tool, if it is used unwisely, it can be disastrous. This seminar examines the wise use of credit, warning signs of credit trouble, and the options available for getting out of debt and reconstructing existing credit to its greatest advantage.

Spanish Session:
Thursday, May 21, 6:00pm – 7:30pm Cabrillo College – Watsonville Campus, Room 4201318 Union Street, Watsonville
Parking Information for Cabrillo Watsonville Campus: Parking Permits are available for $2 from the yellow vending machines in the parking lot. Note: Machines only take quarters.

English Session:
Thursday, May 28, 6:00pm – 7:30pmCabrillo College – Aptos Student Activity Center – WEST, Room 2026500 Soquel Drive, Aptos
Parking Information for Cabrillo Aptos Campus: Metered parking is available under the Student Activity Center Garage. Metered parking is free after 6:00pm. Under the Metered parking garage, use the elevator to get to the Student Activity Center. If metered parking is full, you may use a day-use permit, available for $2 from the yellow vending machines in the parking lots.
Limited Space Available.RSVP by phone or email today!
831.477.8427
seminar@bayfed.com